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fain

[ feyn ]
/ feɪn /
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See synonyms for fain on Thesaurus.com
adverb
gladly; willingly: He fain would accept.
adjective
willing: They were fain to go.
Archaic. constrained; obliged: He was fain to obey his Lord.
Archaic. glad; pleased.
Archaic. desirous; eager.
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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
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Origin of fain

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English fæg(e)n; cognate with Old Norse feginn “happy”; akin to fair1

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH fain

fain , faint, feign, feint

Words nearby fain

failing, faille, fail-safe, fail-soft, failure, fain, fainaigue, fainéant, fainites, fáinne, faint
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to fain

eager, game, inclined, minded, prepared, ready

How to use fain in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fain

fain
/ (feɪn) /
adverb
(usually with would) archaic willingly; gladlyshe would fain be dead
adjective
obsolete
  1. willing or eager
  2. compelled

Word Origin for fain

Old English fægen; related to Old Norse fegiun happy, Old High German gifehan to be glad, Gothic fahehs joy; see fawn ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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